Linden - St.-Peters

The exact age of the St.-Peters Church in Linden (about 6kms south of Giessen) is unknown. The church is placed on a once strongly fortified hill, mentioned in the Lorsch codex. A smaller Carolingian chapel had been here already as early as 810/820, foundations of this chapel have been found during a restauration. The church was probably erected within the 12th century.

The romanesque portal is the outstanding feature of St.-Peters. It was carved around 1220/1230 and originally it had been on the southern entrance of the church, but was moved to the western facade.

There are only a few of these portals in Germany - and this one is pretty unique, though it is weathered and difficult to "read". One theory claims, that the carvings are connected to the legend of Saint Wenceslaus I, the Duke of Bohemia. Saint "Wenzel" was murdered by his brother. Soon after his "martyrdom" several hagiographies were (told and) written - and these were very popular within the middle ages.

This is an "overview" of the two archivolts, I will upload more detailed shots later.

R. Hamann sees the nativity-scene in the center of the outer archivolt, the Magi rush to the center with wagons! Gottfried Kiesow ("Romanik in Hessen") supports that. The inner archivolt has on the left a hunter with a typical hunting-horn . His three dogs have cornered a boar (?). On the right a large winged dragon with a long tail.

The light here is different from the previous shots from the same portal. This shot is from a second visit in Linden. The church was locked btw - both times.


The parish has a website about the history of the church (in German):
www.ev-kirche-gr-linden.de/kirchengelaende.html